Interesting. We had exactly the same problem here Mike. Somehow we had to stop it from spreading from the north island, to the south island. All hives had to be treated. Its a slow process that seems to slow it down. Its not only the honey and bee keepers, its also about the pollinating of just about everything that doesn't get done. Farmers are particularly hard done by. We ended up breading and releasing bees as well as treating hives. Its surprising how it effects things we don't even think of.

Good luck with it up there Mike, it ain't easy.

Danny._________________Worry about the image that comes out of the box, rather than the box itself.